Eagles vs Commanders: Thursday Night Football Preview and Predictions

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders are set to clash in a pivotal NFC East showdown on Thursday Night Football, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Eagles, currently 7-2, are riding a five-game winning streak, most recently dominating the Dallas Cowboys 34-6. In contrast, the Commanders, who are 7-3, saw their three-game win streak end with a narrow 28-27 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday.

The Eagles are favored by 3.5 points, according to the latest odds from the SportsLine Consensus, with the over/under for total points scored set at 48.5. Philadelphia is also the money-line favorite at -190, while Washington is listed at +159.

Philadelphia’s offense is powered by quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has logged 1,976 passing yards, 378 rushing yards, and 22 total touchdowns this season. Running back Saquon Barkley is another key player, ranking second in the NFL in carries and rushing yards, and tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns. Barkley has surpassed 100 rushing yards in four of his last five games.

The Commanders, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, boast a strong offense as well. Daniels has completed 68% of his passes for 2,147 yards and nine touchdowns, while also contributing 464 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin is a significant threat, ranking third in the NFL in receiving yards and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns.

The Commanders face a setback with the injury to newly acquired cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who will be out for this week’s game due to a lingering hamstring injury. This could impact their defensive strategy against the Eagles’ potent offense.

Analysts predict a tight game, with the Eagles’ strong ground game and defensive capabilities likely to challenge the Commanders. The Eagles’ ability to control possession and limit deep passes could be crucial in containing Washington’s explosive offense.

For betting advice, SportsLine’s expert Larry Hartstein and the advanced NFL model suggest leaning towards the under on the total points and provide detailed analysis on which side of the spread to back.